Ed McMahon to rap in Internet videos

Ed McMahon to rap in Internet videos

LOS ANGELES — Ed McMahon has an unexpected new job title: rapper.

The 85-year-old former “Tonight Show” sidekick will star in two viral rap videos for FreeCreditReport.com, a financial Web site owned by credit bureau Experian. The videos feature McMahon wearing a tracksuit, being chauffeured around Los Angeles in a golf cart and waxing lyrical about his very public financial troubles.

The videos will appear online in October.

FreeCreditReport.com says the company sought out McMahon to star in the humorous spots after seeing him openly discuss his finances on “Larry King Live.”

Busta Rhymes detained before entering Britain

LONDON — Rapper Busta Rhymes was briefly detained at a London airport Thursday by immigration officers who said he should not be allowed into the country, a concert promoter said.

He was released, however, after a High Court judge ruled that Rhymes was entitled to either bail or immediate release while he formulated a defense. Justice Julian Flaux said it was “difficult to see upon what basis” Rhymes had been detained.

Flaux ordered a hearing for Rhymes’ legal challenge to the government’s attempt to keep him out of Britain. It will likely be held Friday afternoon.

Immigration officers at London City Airport said they refused Rhymes entry based on “unresolved convictions” in the United States, according to Orange RockCorps, the promoter of a Busta Rhymes charity concert in the British capital.

Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., had been scheduled to appear today at a charity concert in London’s mammoth Royal Albert Hall. It was not immediately clear if he would do so.

Earlier, RockCorps said that U.S. rap star Ludacris has agreed to perform in Rhymes’ place.

RockCorps. said Rhymes had been allowed into Britain twice before this year.

Today’s birthdays

Fitness expert Jack LaLanne is 94. Actor Kent McCord (“Adam 12”) is 66. Singer Bryan Ferry is 63. Singer Olivia Newton-John is 60. Actress Linda Hamilton is 52. Country singer Doug Supernaw is 48. Actor Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ”) is 40. Singer Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men is 36. Singer Christina Milian is 27.